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Ken Smith pickups - cool!!

#21
Hi,

yes, the bass has (home made) active electronics. I think the schematic was in a Guitar Player magazine at least 20 years ago. Not perfect, but as long as I keep the controls not too far off-centre, the tone knobs are usable.
I plugged the bass right into a Behringer FCA202 firewire interface, which is hooked up to my Mac with Logic software.

For the pickup positions, see attached picture. A misplacement of 1 or 2 mm wouldn't be noticable, I guess, but it would really sound differentif they were on the classic Jazz Bass position; especially when you slap.
For an accurate positioning, first locate the theoretical bridge position "A". This is the place were the bridge saddles would be if strings were perfectly flexible. This is how you do it:
Measure the distance from nut "F" to 12the fret "E". The distance "A" to "E" is exactly that same distance.
Distance "A" to "F" is the scale length of the bass. My bass has a scale length of 864 mm. If your bass has a different scale length, you should change the dimensions below relative to the scale length.
OK, here we go:
A-B = 45 mm
A-C = 118 mm
A-D = 216 mm
A-E = 432 mm
A-F = 864 mm
Hope this makes sense :)
regards,
Jaap
 

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#22
Could you post what the distance is from the top of the pups to the strings?
Did you fiddle around with pup height before you found the sound you liked best?
I've been toying around with changing the height of the pups on my Smith and would like to know what your ( and anyone else for that matter ) thoughts are.
I can tell you that I have WCR pups on a couple of my guitars, and pup height is critical for them. Just a 1/4 turn can have a big impacts.
 
#23
Hi,

yes, I agree, pickup height does make a difference.
the "air gap" between the pickup and the strings on my bass is:
neck pickup, B string: 4 mm
neck pickup, C string: 2.5 mm
bridge pickup, B string: 3 mm
bridge pickup, C string: 2.5 mm
I fiddled around with the heights, and by tilting the neck pickup a bit, I get a tighter B (because it's relatively more bridge PU and less neck PU), and a fuller sound on the higher strings. This way, popped strings don't sound too "harsh".
Regards, Jaap
 
#27
3506string said:
Just got mine in today. I will say I wasn't expecting them so quickly just paid last wednesday. Ken of whoever answers his emails was very helpful. I would be installing them as we speak but I have service tonight and someone is borrowing my backup bass.
Link RemovedLink Removed
Click to expand...

hi, did you know how much cost one set od smith soapbars 4 strings and the smith preamp?
thanks
 
#28
Hi! Im a fan of Smith tone too.I am curious if the radius of the flattops match a 12" fingerboard. Please let me know if it works perfect.,cause Im planning to put one in my ALembic.
BTW, Kramer, did you put in the Smith electronics too?
Also,do they have solderless connections?
Thanks
Robert
 
#31
kramer.j said:
Hi,

yes, the bass has (home made) active electronics. I think the schematic was in a Guitar Player magazine at least 20 years ago. Not perfect, but as long as I keep the controls not too far off-centre, the tone knobs are usable.
I plugged the bass right into a Behringer FCA202 firewire interface, which is hooked up to my Mac with Logic software.

For the pickup positions, see attached picture. A misplacement of 1 or 2 mm wouldn't be noticable, I guess, but it would really sound differentif they were on the classic Jazz Bass position; especially when you slap.
For an accurate positioning, first locate the theoretical bridge position "A". This is the place were the bridge saddles would be if strings were perfectly flexible. This is how you do it:
Measure the distance from nut "F" to 12the fret "E". The distance "A" to "E" is exactly that same distance.
Distance "A" to "F" is the scale length of the bass. My bass has a scale length of 864 mm. If your bass has a different scale length, you should change the dimensions below relative to the scale length.
OK, here we go:
A-B = 45 mm
A-C = 118 mm
A-D = 216 mm
A-E = 432 mm
A-F = 864 mm
Hope this makes sense :)
regards,
Jaap
Click to expand...

you take this measures from a real ken smith bass? thanks
 
#32
I am not sure of the radius of the Z6 but it is pretty flat. It is flat enough to the point the I don't radius my strings to the fretboard. The string to string volume is perfect. I wasn't exactly trying to match the smith tone, I just wanted a brighter better cutting pickup. I am using a 3 band aguilar preamp w mid freq switch. As far as the connections, I believe they will wiring them to your preference but I just got the pickups as they are pictured above. I had to use a DMM and trial and error to figure out what was what. The 6 string flattops are $345 but I would think the 4 and 5 strings would be less. I have a short clip of me testing them out. Keep in mind the tone isn't its best as I was still getting used to eqing and blending them and series/parallel and all that good stuff.
Link Removed
 
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